After months of isolation because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have reported weight gain, usually in a troubling manner. Social media users and healthcare professionals alike refer to this as the “Quarantine 15.” Yet for Toronto Raptors power forward/center Chris Boucher, the 15 added pounds were an encouraging sign.
At 6-foot-9-inches — undersized for his position — Boucher relies on his athleticism when out on the court rather than his size. With added weight, however, he’ll be able to bruise defenders in the post more easily.
New Improvement
The new-and-improved Boucher is garnering serious attention at team practices in Orlando.
“He was as good as he could be today,” head coach Nick Nurse said in a video conference on July 17. “He was just all over the glass, running hard, making shots today and really blocking shots.”
Coach Nurse could visibly see a change in physique as well. “There’s some speed there and there’s some energy, but he kinda always has that,” Nurse said. “He does look physically better as well.
As to how he added weight, the 27-year-old Boucher said he focused heavily on nutrition since the NBA shutdown. “When I worked out, I would check how many calories I lost so I can take those calories and add more [through eating and drinking].”
“There was a lot of stuff I didn’t understand about nutrition and I took the time with COVID-19 to focus on those things.”
And after two weeks of practice, Boucher can feel the difference.
What does this mean for Boucher?
“I feel a lot stronger going for rebounds and boxing out,” Boucher said in a post-practice press conference on July 17. “Me and Serge [Ibaka] fight a lot on the boxouts now … and I can see the difference from the beginning of the season to now how I can stay with him and fight.”
This season, Boucher is averaging 6.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg, and 1.0 bpg in just over 13 minutes. Before the shutdown, however, he showed flashes of serious potential, scoring 21 points with seven rebounds and four blocks as the Raptors completed their largest comeback in franchise history in a 110-107 win over the Dallas Mavericks.
Ahead of the NBA’s restart, the 2019 G League MVP is fighting for serious rotational minutes ahead of the NBA’s restart.
“From what he’s done so far, [Boucher] is trying to make a pitch at getting in the rotation and stay in it and get some quality playing time, that’s for sure,” Coach Nurse said. “He’s certainly drawn some attention from the coaching staff the way he’s playing.”
Scrimmage stats
In just about 17 minutes per game, Boucher is averaging 4.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in the Raptors’ three scrimmages. The leading rebounder for the Raptors against the Blazers in scrimmage No. 2, Boucher’s improved physique has been on display. Still, it might not be enough to see his role increase. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has been equally as impressive for the Raptors, recording virtually the same points and rebounds while adding playmaking and more versatile defending. And with a team as deep as Toronto’s, it’s hard to envision Boucher’s role expanding too much.
But there’s still one exception.
On Sunday, the Raptors rolled out their “Jumbo Lineup” against the Trail Blazers: Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Ibaka and Marc Gasol. We also saw OG Anunoby’s new-and-improved ball handling.
If Coach Nurse were to (hypothetically) start Anunoby at point guard, a jumbo lineup (where all players are over 6-foot-7) could include: Anunoby, Siakam, Boucher, Ibaka, and Gasol. Wouldn’t that be a sight to see.
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